CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Rebecca Wilder
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WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today welcomed Verizon as the first sponsor of its "America's Small Business Summit 2007" to be held May 23-25, 2007, in Washington, D.C.

 

"Verizon's support for our summit reflects their strong commitment to the small business market," said Chamber Executive Vice President and COO Suzanne Clark. "Their sponsorship will help us deliver the nation's premier event for small businesses, and it will provide Verizon with unparalleled access to the most politically active and involved members of that community."

 

Eric Fitzgerald Reed, director of small business market issues and policy for Verizon said, "Verizon is a strong supporter of small- and medium-sized businesses so it's natural for us to get involved again in this exciting and dynamic summit.  We provide a comprehensive suite of innovative telecommunications solutions to help businesses better compete in the marketplace, enhance interaction with customers, and help them grow their operations."

 

The Chamber's last small business summit, Access 2006, attracted more than 600 small business owners, state and local chambers of commerce representatives, top elected officials, and business experts. Speakers included former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, then Treasury Secretary John Snow, and FedEx Chairman Fred Smith. The event was held last May in Washington, D.C.,  and included a coordinated lobbying blitz by hundreds of small businesses owners to visit their elected officials on Capitol Hill.

 

The 2007 event is expected to attract more participants and an equally impressive list of speakers. It will also include another round of congressional visits and presentation of the second annual "U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year" award. For more information on the 2007 summit, click here.

 

Verizon Communications Inc., a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government, and wholesale customers. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.
      
The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.